via Uber
First, Uber sued St. Louis' taxi commission. Now, the commission is suing back.
St. Louis’ taxi authority is suing Uber Technologies, Inc., for launching its UberX rideshare service here without permission or approval.
The Metropolitan Taxicab Commission filed a temporary restraining order October 5 to stop Uber from operating in St. Louis City and County without a license. The lawsuit also names as defendants 19 people who drove for the rideshare company in St. Louis.
See also: Uber Launches in St. Louis Without Approval, Sues Taxi Commission
The taxi commission approved new changes to its code on September 18 to accommodate transportation network companies such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar in the St. Louis market, but the changes fall short of Uber’s demands. The taxi commission still requires that drivers-for-hire obtain a commercial driver’s license and submit to a fingerprint background check—two requirements Uber has said are deal breakers because some of its drivers drive as little as six hours per week.
But just because you don't like the rules doesn't mean you don't have to follow them, the taxi commission says.
“There is no legal impediment for Uber lawfully entering the St. Louis Market,” taxi commissin attorney Neil Bruntrager said in a statement. “They have simply chosen to ignore Missouri law.”
Rather than wait for the taxi commission’s permission, Uber launched its rideshare service in St. Louis before the taxi commission even ended. The company also filed a lawsuit against the taxi commission for anti-competitive practices in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Of the 19 Uber drivers named in the lawsuit, one had a larceny conviction and another had an open warrant in Wellston, according to the taxi commission.
One driver had a suspended Missouri driver's license, according to the lawsuit.
None of the drivers had submitted to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Eleven of the drivers didn’t have a commercial driver’s license.
Sagar Shah, Uber’s general manager for St. Louis, responds to the lawsuit saying he looks forward to resolving the case in court.
“We’re not surprised the [Metropolitan Taxicab Commission] is yet again trying to stifle competition and deny people the transportation choices they have in other cities,” Shah said in a statement. End of update.
The two sides will face off at 10 a.m. October 13 in St. Louis County Circuit Court before Judge Tom DePriest.
Contact Lindsay Toler by an email at LToler@stlmag.com or on Twitter @StLouisLindsay. For more from St. Louis Magazine, subscribe or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
